syuonthedot

Hi everyone,
I'll be in Milan on 1st of May (Labor Day). My actual plan is just to stay there and walk around the city but I heard almost everything is closed on that day.

So any suggestions what should I do or which place should I go on that particular day?

I'm thinking either Lake Como, Cinque Terre or Seravalle Outlet. Are these closed too on 1st of May? I heard that trains and other mode of transportation in Italy also limited on that day so I'm afraid I also cannot go to these places?

I'll be in Milan just for one day before heading to Venice.

sandralist

I think most everything in Milan will be closed down.

Lago di Como would be my pick or Lago Maggiore (Stresa). If you decide to take a commuter train to Lago di Como instead of the Trenitalia train to Varenna then double check with your hotel that the commuter train is running. But otherwise the Trenitalia trains will be running. I suggest buying a ticket in advance online if you can and if you can't then buy it as soon as you arrive in Milan.

Le Cinque Terre is really too far I think. And likely to be jammed. Someplace like Camogli would be closer -- but still a long 2 hours on the train.

I don't know about the Serravale Outlet.

If the forecast is for rain rain rain and more rain then consider hopping the train to Bologna. Some things will be closed by they usually have a big party in the piazza Maggiore and enough places to eat will be open you can have some pasta.

syuonthedot

Hi sandralist,
Thank you for the info.

My plan to Como will be through Varenna from Milan using Trenitalia train but I'm not sure whether train operates on the 1st of May or not. I've browsed Trenitalia website and tried my luck on 1st May ticket, it seems that train operates on that day.

However, I am not sure about the boat from Varenna to Bellagio and boat cruise from Bellagio to Como. And Bellagio and Como area, will be closed down too?

sandralist

I don't know the answer from personal experience but I will say that Varenna and Bellagio and all of Lago di Como survive on holiday tourism (from Italians as well as foreigners). It would just be bizarre to me that they would shut down their tourist ferries on May 1st. I would except everything to be open and -- if it is a nice day -- the place will be humming with tourism.

If you don't get enough reassurances here then ask on the TripAdivisor message forum for Bellagio or Slow Travel -- and if all else fails you can ask at your hotel. One thing you might do on your own is look up online information about the gardens in Lago di Como. Again I imagine they will be open because May is their best time.

But even if you just get to Varenna then it is a beautiful spot.

i wanted to add that the reason I suggested Bologna if it is very rainy in the north is because it has a lot of covered walkways and it is an atmospheric medieval place to just walk around The same is true of Verona. But you are likely to get very pretty spring weather on May 1

syuonthedot

Sandralist,
Thanks a lot for your advice.